As I have posted previously about the value and use of RFIDs, I thought it fair to present the views of a group of activists who plan to protest the use RFID tags in clothing and consumer goods on Sept.16th at McCormick Place in Chicago. Stop RFID Moblog

At Newsplex, we discussed how RFID tags on hardware could cut down on losses in newsrooms and in school settings. The tags could allow cordless devices or laptops to "call home" if a worker or student "inadvertently" walked off with them. The devices can broadcast their current location.

In Celebration, FL, grade schoolers wear cool dog tags or rings with their info in them. It allows them to enter the school building, but also to move from room to room, class to class, but keep connected to their individualized computer-related lessons and assignments.

These uses presume that the information flow is being managed with the knowledge of the user of the device. However, Bennetton wants to put the tags in clothes that could broadcast information back to them, as a retailer, in a "spy" fashion. That is, you the consumer wouldn't have a clue that Benneton was learning where you hung out when you put on the snappy clothing you purchased. Some retailers claim they will deactivate the tags when the consumer leaves the store and has purchased the item. But there are no safeguards about this.

Stay tuned to this issue. It is going to come increasingly into the public consciousness.